A big morning of barrier trials saw 19 heats conducted on a Heavy 9 track at Cranbourne on Monday, May 21.

A few horses stood out as potential winners and can be followed in their upcoming assignments.

Here are my horses to follow from the Cranbourne barrier trials:

Trial 1 (800m) 49.36

This was the quickest of the 11 800m heats, and it was the Dan McCarthy-trained KABROCCO that impressed most finishing 2nd. He showed great early speed to lead out wide, and while the winner, Baby Don’t Cry, saved ground along the inside and was pushed out to the line, Kabrocco was hard held and cruised to the line. He’s a winner on Heavy tracks and looks suited resuming now.

Trial 3 (800m) 49.63

An unraced three-year-old Fastnet Rock colt by the name of THORONDOR really impressed here. Trained by Robbie Laing, Thorondor settled towards the rear and was under a strong hold until half-way down the straight where he was given a bit of rein and really charged home under his own steam. Lengthened nicely, handled the Heavy track without a problem and looks ready to go.

Trial 7 (800m) 50.02

Another unraced three-year-old to follow with TRAMINER closing off well to finish 2nd for trainer Cindy Alderson. The Dream Ahead gelding won a trial at Cranbourne on February 19 and was sent for a spell, and he looks to have come back just as well except much stronger. This was a soft effort and he can measure up on debut.

Trial 9 (800m) 49.59

Despite failing to break through in seven starts to date, the Pat Carey-trainded BRALCA'S GEM has placed on four occasions and she may just be looking for a Heavy track. The three-year-old daughter of Fastnet Rock wasn’t asked for much of an effort in the straight, yet she ambled up to them and put nearly four lengths on the 2nd placed horse in the final 150m. She was strong through the line and has previously run her best races over 1400m.

Trial 17 (1550m) 1:40.81

One thing is for sure, MANHATTAN GANGSTER has improved out of sight since his first barrier trial. He finished seven lengths off the pace in his first 1550m trial on a Good track at Cranbourne in a time of 1:41.62 but then won this heat by seven lengths in 1:40.81 – that just shouldn’t happen. But it’s not the winning margin or time that really gets you enthused, it’s the way he quickened away from them in the straight and was easy to the line. Being by Manhattan Rain, he’s clearly looking for further, and he’s one I’d prefer to see on debut before jumping on board.